Graft anchor

Abstract

A graft anchor includes an anchor member for placement in bone tissue. The anchor member defines an opening. An inner member is insertably securable into the anchor member opening. A fastener is configured such that insertion and securing of the inner member into the anchor member opening results in a holding force being applied to the graft. The anchor member is of limited length to maintain its distal end within the bone. The anchor member includes a distal drive opening for receiving a drive tool and the inner member includes a proximal drive opening for receiving the drive tool. The fastener includes channels for containing the graft, a fastener body with protrusions extending from the fastener body for penetrating bone tissue, and a reinforcing member contained within the fastener body.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A method of securing a graft to bone, comprising the steps of: 
       placing an anchor member into the bone, thereafter  
       positioning a fastener such that a portion of the graft lies between the fastener and the bone, and  
       inserting and securing an inner member into the anchor member, the insertion forcing the fastener into the bone to secure the graft by squeezing the graft between the fastener and the bone.  
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  further comprising the steps of: 
       drilling a bone tunnel,  
       drilling a counterbore in the tunnel perpendicular to a central axis of the tunnel, and  
       drilling a hole perpendicular to the central axis of the tunnel and centered within the counterbore,  
       placement of said anchor member into the bone comprises the step of screwing the anchor member into the hole.  
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2  wherein said anchor member is self-tapped into the hole. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1  wherein said anchor member is of limited length such that placement of said anchor member into the bone results in a distal end of the anchor member being maintained within the bone. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1  wherein the portion of the graft that lies between the fastener and the bone is contained within a protective channel defined by the fastener. 
     
     
       6. A method of securing a graft to bone comprising the steps of: 
       drilling a bone tunnel,  
       drilling a counterbore in the tunnel perpendicular to a central axis of the tunnel, drilling a hole perpendicular to the central axis of the tunnel and centered within the counterbore,  
       placing an anchor member into the bone by screwing the anchor member into the hole,  
       positioning a fastener such that a portion of the graft lies between the fastener and the bone, and  
       inserting and securing an inner member into the anchor member, the insertion forcing the fastener into the bone to secure the graft by squeezing the graft between the fastener and the bone.  
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6  wherein said anchor member is self-tapped into the hole. 
     
     
       8. A method of securing a graft to bone comprising the steps of: 
       placing an anchor member into the bone such that a proximal end of the anchor member is maintained within the bone,  
       positioning a fastener such that a portion of the graft lies between the fastener and the bone, and  
       inserting and securing an inner member into the anchor member, the insertion forcing the fastener into the bone to secure the graft by squeezing the graft between the fastener and the bone.  
     
     
       9. A method of securing a graft to bone comprising the steps of: 
       placing an anchor member into the bone,  
       positioning a fastener such that a portion of the graft lies between the fastener and the bone, the fastener defining a protective channel, and  
       inserting and securing an inner member into the anchor member, the insertion forcing the fastener into the bone to secure the graft by squeezing the graft between the fastener and the bone with the portion of the graft at least partially retained within the protective channel.  
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9  further comprising providing the fastener with the protective channel substantially traversing a tissue facing surface of the fastener. 
     
     
       11. A method of securing a graft to bone comprising the steps of: 
       screwing an anchor member into the bone,  
       positioning a fastener such that a portion of the graft lies between the fastener and the bone, and  
       inserting and securing an inner member into the anchor member, the insertion forcing the fastener into the bone to secure the graft by squeezing the graft between the fastener and the bone.  
     
     
       12. A method of securing a graft to bone comprising the steps of: 
       placing an anchor member into the bone,  
       positioning the graft such that a proximal end of the anchor member is distal to the graft,  
       positioning a fastener such that a portion of the graft lies between the fastener and the bone, and  
       inserting and securing an inner member into the anchor member, the insertion forcing the fastener into the bone to secure the graft by squeezing the graft between the fastener and the bone.